The caution was issued in a statement by the CBN’s Acting Director of Communication, Mr Isaac Okorafor on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement advised Nigerians to be vigilant, adding that the warning became necessary because of the activities of some unregistered IMTOs, whose modes of operation are detrimental to the country’s economy.

“All financial services providers in Nigeria, just as in other jurisdictions, are required to be duly licensed in order to protect both customers and the financial system as well as to ensure the credibility of financial transactions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all licensed International Money Transfer Operators, are required to remit foreign currency to their respective agent banks in Nigeria for disbursement in naira to the beneficiaries.

“The foreign currency proceeds are to be sold to Bureaux De Change operators, for onward retail to end users.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria will therefore not condone any attempt aimed at undermining the country’s foreign exchange regime.”

The statement urged the public to beware of the activities of such unregistered IMTOs to avoid being defrauded.